Automatic door lock



' Nov. 28, 1939. c CROOKS 2,181,393

AUTOMATIC noon LOCK Filed Aug. 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 III i llllillllllllllllllln INVENTOR.

0944/5156 L; Ceca/rs Y 2 a g ATTORNEY.

Nov; 28, 1939.

C L. CROOKS AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK Filed Aug. 22, 1938 iimg MA E I 3Sheets-Sheet 2 BY ATTORNEY;

Nov. 28, 1939. CROQKS v 7 2.181393 AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK Filed Aug. 22,less s Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOK CHARLES A. CHOU/f5.

Patented Nov. 28, 1939 Charles L. Crooks, Pueblo, 0010.

Application August 22, 1938, Serial No. 226,085..

This invention relates to a locking latch more 11 Claims. (Cl. 292-45)the improved latch mechanism is contained is indicated at IL The latchmay be operated from particularly designed for use upon automobile andother vehicular doors.

1 The principal object of the invention is to provlde a single andhighly efficient lock which will automatically latch itself when thedoor is closed in such a way that it cannot possibly be opened by anunauthorized party; which when closed will be absolutely secure againstrattling or vibration; and which can be locked by a single turn of theinside handle.

' Other objects and advantages residein the detail construction of theinvention, which is de-.

signed for simplicity, economy, and efliciency. These will become moreapparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is hadto the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numeralsrefer to like parts in all views of the drawings and throughout thedescription.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view illustrating the improved lock in positionin a typical automobile door.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the latch proper. Fig. 3 is an inside faceview of the latch. Fig. 4 is a vertical section therethrough, taken onthe line 4-4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on the line 55,

Fig. 4.

in the releasing position.

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on the line'88,

Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on the .line 9-4:.

Fig. 8.

Figs. 10 and 11 are vertical sections taken on the lines ||l-|ll andrespectively, Fig. 6. Fig. 12 is a detail section through the insidehandle mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a detail section through handle mechanism taken on the line|3 |3, Fig.

Fig.14 is a detail view of spring housing.

the inside the inside handle Fig. 15 is a section through thespring'housing taken on the line |5|5, Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the locking'block.

- In Fig. l a typical automobile door is indicated at H! with its frameat H.

The casing in which cated at Fig. 3 at l3. operated from an insidehandle l4.

- an external door handle of any. desired type which may contain a keyactuated look if desired. The shank of such an external door handle isindi-. 5

The latch may also be The striker plate of the latch, 'ndicated at 15,

' is attached to the frame I in the usual manner.

This plate carries a spear-shaped keeper raised. 10

embossed orotherwise projected outwardly on its surface. Thesides of thekeeper are notched as shown at 58 and its point is directed toward theoutside of the automobile.

Two similar, oppositely-positioned L-shaped 15 locking bolts H arepivoted on pivots |8 within the housing I2 in a position to be engagedby the keeper 16, the housing being cut away at this point to allowentrance of the keeper. The bolts ll terminate in over-lapped rearwardextremities 20 4 llland'are constantly urged to the closed position attheir forwardv extremities :by 'means of compression springs 20.

A slide plate 2| is slidably mounted against one face of the casing..The'slid'e plate 2| carries a pointed, wedging boss 22 positionedbetween'the two bolts I! so that as it slides inwardlygit .will contactthe rear extremities I9 thereof to force the forward extremitiestogether. ;The plate 2| is bifurcated at its inner edge to fit around asliding, actuating member 23. The actuating member 23 contacts the rearextremities|9 of the bolts l1 and, when forced against these rearwardextremities, causes them .to swing over each other to separate theforward extremities, as shown in Fig. '7." W

The actuating member 23 is moved by a cross lever 24-which is secured ona latch shaft 25. The sliding plate 2| is prevented from being moveduntil the cross lever is actuated by means of a latch 40 lever 26, oneextremity of which carries a flange 2! which over-hangs the outer end ofone of the guide members 22 and which is swung by means of a spring "28into the path of the plate 2|to prevent the latter from moving. Thelever 26 is notched, as shown at 29, to

receive the extremity of a lifting tongue 30 which is formed on thecross lever 24. In the locked position of Fig. 6, the tongue rests inthenotch.

The first movement of the shaft 25 and the lever 24, however, causesthis tongue to swing forwardly and lift the flanged extremity of thelocking lever 25 out of the path of movement of the plate 2| so thatcontinued movement of the lever 24 may force the actuating plate23loutwardly rto separate the bolts IT, as shown in Fig. '7. The lever24 is returned to its original position by means of a suitable spring3|. The sliding plate 2| is retained in the projected position by meansof a ball detent 32 which is actuated by means of a spring 33 againstthe side of the plate 2| where a receiving notch 34 is provided.

The shaft 25 may be rotated in any desired manner depending upon theparticular installation of the latch. As illustrated, a two-point cam 35is secured on the shaft 25 and ahandle shaft 36 carrying the outsidedoor member is rotatably mounted across the cam 35. The shaft 36 carriesa fixed first sleeve 31 from which a first cam actuating lever 38projects so that as the outer handle is turned, the actuating lever willbe swung against the cam 35 to rotate the shaft 25 and actuate the boltsIT.

The shaft 36 also carries a loose sleeve 39 from 20 which a second camactuating lever 40 projects.

This sleeve is rotated from the inner door handle I4 and causes thesecond actuating lever 40 to contact the opposite extremity of the cam35 to also actuate the'bolts II. The sleeve 39 is actuated from theinner handle I4. Projecting from the latter sleeve is an L-shaped arm 4|having a slotted hole 42 for receiving a screw 43 which is threaded intoa lockingblock 44. The locking block 44 is carried upon a lockingplunger 45 which projects rigidly from the block through a guide tube 46into the latch casing l2. The looking plunger 45 is so positioned, asshown in Fig. 1, that when projected into the casing, it will be in thepath of movement of the rear extremities IQ of the bolts Hand also inthe path of movement of the plate 2| so that none of these parts can bemoved until the locking plunger 45 is withdrawn by actuation of theinside handle I 4 to move the lockingblock '44 to :the left as shown inFig. 2. During the locking movement of the block 44, the screw 43travels in the slotted hole 42.

The block 44 is connected by means of connecting bar 4'! to afan-shaped'lever 4B mounted on anxinnenhandle shaft 49 which carries theinner handle l4. A detentspring i! constantly urges a ball detent 5|against the lever 48, the latter being provided with two ball receivingdepressions 52 and 53. The connecting bar 41 is constantly urged towardthe locked position by means of a spring 54 which forces a plunger 55against a projection 56 on the car 4?. The spring and plunger mechanismis contained in a housing 51 mounted alongside of the bar 41.

Operation When the door is open, the latch mechanism is in the positionshown in Fig. 6 with the exception that the plate 2! is in the forwardposition of Fig. '7 where it is held by the detent 32. As the doorswings shut, the points of the keeper l6 enter :between the boltswedging them outwardly. It then strikes the wedge boss 22 forcing theplate 2| inwardly. This causes the point of the wedge boss to force thehooked extremities of the bolts apart :so as to swing the otherextremities into the notches 58 of the keeper 26, as shown in Fig. 6.The locking lever 27 then snaps in front of the plate 2| and locks thebolts "IT. The bolts can be released andopened by simply turning theouter handle shaft 36 which rotates the shaft 25 to release the lever 26and move the bolts to the position of Fig. '7. It can be similarlyactuated by moving the inner handle l4 :topull .the connecting rod 41away from the latch and swing the lever 40 against the cam 35.

The latch may be locked against opening by swinging the inside handle tothe left or lock position which causes the connecting bar 47 to push thelocking block 44 toward the casing l2 so that its locking plunger 45will enter the casing to the locking position of Fig. 6.

We, therefore, have three positions of the inside handle lever l izstraight downward for the inactive or close position; to the right toopen the door; and to the left to lock the door.

While a specific form of the improvement has been described andillustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may bevaried, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired securedby Letters Patent is:

1. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hookedend bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means forengaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: aninner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward eachother in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned formovement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremitiesthereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremitiestowards each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond theoverlapped ex tremities so that it may contact and force the lattertogether so as to separate the forward exrtremities thereof; and meansfor causing said closing member to release said bolts as said openingmember opens them.

2. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hookedend bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means forengaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: aninner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward eachother in overlapped relation; a boltclosing member positioned formovement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremitiesthereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremitiestoward each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond theoverlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the lattertogether so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; means forlocking" said closing member in the closed position; and means forreleasing said locking means prior to the operation of said closingmeans.

3. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hookedend bolts adapted" to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means forengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: an inner extremity oneach bolt, said extremities being turned toward each other in overlappedrelation; a bolt closing member po-= sitioned for movement between saidbolts to con tact the overlapped extremities thereof to force the latterapart so as to force the forward extremities towards each other; a stopmember; and means for projecting said stop member into the .path ofmovement of said bolts to prevent the latter from releasing said keeperuntil desired.

4, In a door latch mechanism of the type hav ing a pair of pivotedhooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a meansfor engaging and disengaging said bolts With said keeper comprising: aninner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward eachother in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned formovement between said bolts extremities toward each other; and a boltopening member positioned, beyond the overlapped I extremities so thatit'may contact and force the 1 latter together so as to separate theforward extremities thereof, said closing member being positioned in thepath of said opening member so 10- that as the latter moves to theopening position it will force the closing member away from saidoverlapped extremities.

5. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hookedend bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means forengaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: aninnerextremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward eachother in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned formovement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremitiesthereof to force the latter. apart so as to force theforward extremitiestowards eachother; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond theoverlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the lattertogether so as to separate theforward extremities thereof; an actuatingshaft; and an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to actuate saidopenin means.

6. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hookedend bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means forengaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: aninner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward eachother in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned formovement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremitiesthereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremitiestowards each other; a bolt opening member positioned beyond theoverlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the lattertogether so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; an actuatingshaft; and an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to actuate saidopening means; a locking lever positioned to swing into the path ofmovement of said opening means to prevent the latter from moving to theopening position; and releasing means actuated by said actuating leverfor swinging said locking lever from the path of said opening meansbefore the latter actuates said bolts.

7. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hookedend bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means forengaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: aninner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward eachother in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned formovement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremitiesthereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremitiestowards each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond theoverlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the lattertogether so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; a stopmember; means for projecting said stop member into a position to preventsaid opening member from operating; and means for actuating said openingmember from the withdrawing movement of said stop member.

8. In a door latchmechanism of the type having a pair of pivoted hookedend bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a means forengaging and disengaging said bolts with I actuate said opening means; acam mounted on nected with said second cam actuating lever so saidkeeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, said extremitiesbeing turned toward each other in overlapped relation; a bolt closingmember positioned for movement between said bolts to contact theoverlapped extremities there- 1;

of to force the latter apart so as to force the .forward extremitiestowards each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond theoverlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the lattertogether so as to separate theoi forward extremities thereof; anactuating shaft; and an actuating lever projecting from said shaft toactuate said opening means; and means for rotating said shaft from bothsides of said door.

9. In a door latch mechanism of the type hav- :1

ing a pair of pivoted hooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowheadtype of keeper, a means for engaging and disengaging said bolts withsaid keeper comprising: an inner extremity on each bolt, saidextremities being turned toward gg force the latter together so as toseparate the forward extremities thereof; an actuating shaft; and anactuating lever projecting from said shaft to actuate said openingmeans; a cam mounted on said shaft; a handle shaft rotatable mountedacross said cam; a cam actuating lever carried by said handle shaft, sothat as the handle shaft is rotated the lever will contact said cam androtate the said actuating shaft; a handle on said handle shaft, saidhandle being positioned on one side of said door; a-second cam actuatinglever loosely mounted on said handle shaft; a handle on the other sideof said door operatively connected with said second cam actuating leverso that as the second handle is turned, the actuating shaft will berotated.

10. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivotedhooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a meansfor engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: aninner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward eachother in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned formovement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremitiesthereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremitiestowards each other; and a bolt opening member positioned beyond theoverlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the lattertogether so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; an actuatingshaft; and an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to said shaft;a handle shaft rotatable mounted across said cam; a cam actuating levercarried by said handle shaft, so that as the handle shaft is rotated thelever will contact said cam and rotate the said actuating shaft; ahandle onsaid handle shaft, said handle being positioned on one side ofsaid door; a second cam actuating lever loosely mounted on said handleshaft; a handle on the other side of said door operatively conwill be inthe path of movement of the said rear extremities of said hooked endbolts; and means connected to the second handle only for moving saidplunger into the locking position.

11. In a door latch mechanism of the type having a pair of pivotedhooked end bolts adapted to engage an arrowhead type of keeper, a meansfor engaging and disengaging said bolts with said keeper comprising: aninner extremity on each bolt, said extremities being turned toward eachother in overlapped relation; a bolt closing member positioned formovement between said bolts to contact the overlapped extremitiesthereof to force the latter apart so as to force the forward extremitiestowards each other; and a bolt opening m mber positioned beyond theoverlapped extremities so that it may contact and force the lattertogether so as to separate the forward extremities thereof; an actuatingshaft; an actuating lever projecting from said shaft to actuate saidopening means; a cam mounted on said shaft; a handle shaft rotatablemounted handle shaft, said handle being positioned on one'* side of saiddoor; a second cam actuating lever loosely mounted on said handle shaft;a handle on the other side of said door operatively connected with saidsecond cam actuating lever so that as the second handle is turned, theactuating shaft will be rotated; a locking block; a locking plungercarried by said block, said plunger positioned so that when projectedinto the casing it will be in the path of movement of the said rearextremities of said hooked end bolts; means connected to the secondhandle only for moving said plunger into the locking position; and meansfor removing said plunger from the locking position prior to the openingof the lock.

CHARLES L. CROOKS.

